It was just after midnight when former Marine Cpl. James Dahan was awakened by a faint noise in the distance.

Except for the glare of his flashlight, there was darkness all around as he crept from room to room, searching for an unknown enemy.

Windows sealed: check. Doors locked: check. Building secure: check.

Yet with people pacing about upstairs, voices he did not recognize billowing through the walls and the incessant roar of traffic outside, he dared not fall asleep. So he stayed up all night repeating the routine over and over again.

Dahan returned from Iraq seven years ago. But the horrors of war followed him home.

On that night last month, there had been a power outage at his apartment in Lisle, unleashing memories of the war zone. He stood guard over his sleeping son, while the noises of his neighbors moving about kept Dahan on edge.

The enemy existed only in his mind.

Well, if you skip to the comments, it looks like Dahan never heard a shot fired in anger during his deployment;

My name is Devon Bradley, I served with James Dahan in 2004. The fairy tale you just read is a complete lie. James did not fire one shot during his lack of participation in the Iraq war. As far as the Vietnam style of fighting he experienced, well you guessed it, a lie too. If you were to look in his service record book, you would find nothing that resembles what he has explained to the public. He is a fraud and should be charged with VA fraud with a prison sentence. James you know we are all right, for once in your life tell the truth. The above office clerk James Dahan is a disgrace to the Corps and to himself.

Dear editor, if you want a real story look into my allegations and expose the truth behind Jame’s lies. Don’t let his lies disgrace your organization like he has disgraced ours.

OK, that’s one Marine’s opinion. here’s another;

So I typed up this long response to the article regarding Dahan, and the whole thing got deleted and I’m not wasting any more time on this fraud.

I served under Sgt. Bradley and concurent to Dahan. The worst thing this kid had to deal with was getting a paper cut.

Dahan: You are a true sh!tbag. Funny how it continued after the Marine Corps. You are a disgrace to the title and everything it stands for. Enjoy the benefits and spotlight while they last…I think it’ll all end pretty soon. It pisses me off that good Marines gave life and limb, and don’t get the respect or honor they deserve, and all you’re doing is spitting in their faces.

My name is Ryan Brusca, I also served with Devon, and Dahan in 2004. I also contest the statements he made in this article. I was in boot camp with Dahan and if I recall correctly he has always had a foot issue since that time. He even went as far as trying to miss our 2004 deployment to Iraq because of his foot issue. I am disgraced and outraged by his claims. I know many of my fellow brothers, Marines and Soldiers, who have been denied PTSD and TBI ratings. One of which still has a piece of mortar shrapnel in his brain. If anything this article shows the inconsistency in the VA rating system. Dahan was not even close to being an average Marine. Point in case, he was almost kicked out of the Marine Corps during the Light Armored Vehicle school for throwing “gang” signs during the company photo.

Dear Editor, ask the Marines that have served with him and you will find the true story. His dishonesty is a shame upon himself that he has propagated through your news outlet and is not in accordance with the Marine Corps values or traditions.

And the hits keep coming;

I too served with this “Marine”. Clearly he is out for attention. This “Marine” is a fake. I have a photo of hime wearing several distinguishing marks in the way of Medals and Ribbons that he did not earn nor deserve. He also wore them to a Memorial Day Parade, disgrace. I’d be interested in finding the truth behind this liar. He needs help. And for the sake of those who have earned the title, shed the blood, and had the honor, courage, and commitment it took to earn the Medals and Ribbons he calls his own, I think it would be fitting to discover the truth.

SSgt Jason Jerik

USMC 03-10

Another case of the media running with an article without a bit of investigation just because it fits their perception of how things should be. I hope the Tribune does what it’s supposed to do and find out the truth behind this story.

Why this story? “[B]ecause it fits their perception of how things should be.” On the money. Bullseye. That’s the whole of it right there. As for this Dahan, it sounds to me that he is just afraid of the dark and that he may have joined his child when the power went out in his apartment not for the child’s protection but for his own.

I think that it would be a good idea that newspapers drop the idea that they have to print an edition every day.
We would all be better of if they would just print stories when they have something to say.
Now here is something worth repeaating.
The French Parliment passed a law today that makes it a crime to deny that the Turks committed genocide against the Arminians in WW 1.
The Turks on the otherhand make it a crime to say that genocide was committed against the Turks.
I wonder if by saying that I was not there but I strongly suspect that the Turks slaughtered many unarmed Arminians would keep me out of jail if I went to Turkey.

This all started when he (Dohan) started posting shit on our battalion’s facebook page and one of those individuals noticed he was wearing medals he didn’t rate. There’s a whole thread on it with these guys tearing him apart. F’n hilarious.

This turd is living in the Chicago area still and taking advantage of every person or organization he can fleece. I personally know him and this pisses me off!!! You would be surprosed to see how often he plays his charade.

The last sentence in that article “The enemy existed only in his mind” says it all, doesn’t it?

Does anyone besides me remember the Washington Post reporter who made up a story out of whole cloth (thin air) about a poverty-stricken kid in DC, whose life was the pits? She almost got a Pulitzer for that and someone outed her. The kid didn’t exist.

People go into journalism because they want to write stories. These new “reporters” aren’t journalists like Edward R. Murrow.

And while I realize that they have to make a living, sometimes I think they’d be better off working at McD’s and keep the creative copy writing for novels.

Has anyone googled this chump lately? He has been in the news at least twice over the summer. Here is yet another version of the Dahan saga. Can you say professional wounded warrior?

Wounded Marine to be Honored Sunday
Motorcyclists will show their support for Lisle resident Lemuel “James” Dahan and nine other wounded Illinois veterans.
By Kathy Catrambone Email the author August 25, 2012
Email Print Comment

PHOTOS (2)

Upload Photos and Videos
Lisle resident Lemuel “James” Dahan was hurt in Iraq while serving his country as a Marine.

He is one of 10 wounded Illinois veterans to be honored with a police-escorted motorcycle run Sunday.

This is the fourth year for the event, which is sponsored by the Illinois Veterans Foundation. Last year, more than 1,800 motorcyclists participated in the event, to honor vets such as Dahan who was injured in Iraq in 2004.

“I was injured three months into my deployment on Fathers Day, minutes after speaking to my eldest daughter on the phone,” he recalled.

He broke his foot while running to the aid of another platoon under fire. The injury required multiple surgeries. Also, due to multiple blast exposures, Dahan developed mild traumatic brain injury, which has resulted in migraines, light sensitivity and some memory loss.

Dahan was a corporal in the Marines until 2006.

Dahan is a student at Benedictine University in Lisle, where he is active in campus affairs. He was re-elected president of Benedictine Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guard, which is the university’s student veterans club. He also was named as Benedictine University 2011 Student Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. He also is the marketing/public relations intern at the Wounded Warrior Project’s Chicago office.

He and his wife are parents of two girls and a boy.

Lineup for the Illinois Veterans Foundation motorcycle run starts at 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 26. The first bike leaves at 11 a.m. The event will begin at the Pipe Fitters Local 597, 10850 W. 187th St., Mokena, and end at ASIP Local 150, 19800 Arsenal Rd., Wilmington. Registration fee is $15. Rain date is Sept. 2. For more information, call (630) 740-0509.

Tried to post a link, but apparently he was named the naperville veteran of the month or some shit. Google it.. I left them a comment but it is awaiting moderation. I doubt it will make it on there though

I am pretty certain he has graduated now. It seems he is using his lies to get whatever he can from WWP (no surprise) and local charities. He was even named Feb. “Vet of the month” locally. He also now claims Afghan service which is a blatant lie. I can’t stand this asshole.

Holy shit. This guy was at a Legion meeting on Thursday night in Naperville. He came in late, which was why I noticed him.

Later that night, for no real reason, I googled “stolen valor Naperville” and this article popped up. Couldn’t believe I had just seen this asshole at the meeting. Still with the sunglasses at night and cane.

I don’t remember seeing him at any meetings recently, and honestly don’t know if he is a member of our post. Our location is attached to a VFW post, I wonder if they have any idea either. If he is a member of one or both posts, and he is known to be a stolen valor offender, then WHY are they allowing him to remain a member?

I’m going to have to start asking around here. It has been over a year since this article went up. I hope they just don’t know, rather than know but are choosing not to investigate further (via FOIA)/know and don’t care.

I sent an FOIA request for Dahan’s info on April 10th. Haven’t heard back yet. I figured it would be best to have available paperwork in hand before I stir up a hornet’s nest at the local VFW and Legion.

More Googling turned up a MySpace page he/his wife made for their engagement. Says he moved from Dallas TX and their wedding was set for 15 Apr 2007.

SSgt Jerik stated he has a photo of Dahan wearing unearned medals/awards. Would LOVE to see it, or at least know what he was wearing. PH, CAR? Wish I knew which city’s parade he was referring to. Any of the guys you know have pics of shit like that?

@ #39: Closest to sense I could make of it is IF it is much like my Desert Storm service – we were in theater but well back from the front. So, we got a bunch of “showed up” awards, but nothing along the level of PH’s, etc. Or maybe if he was on a base which took fire, but he was not involved in actual shooting??

He claims his foot was injured While “running to assist a member of his platoon”. Pretty far stretch that would get him a purple heart. The comments on the newspaper article specifically mention him trying to get out of deployment due to “foot issues”. Sounds like he hurt his wittle footsie well before Iraq, then milked it while over there to get out of the deployment. Being it happened in service he can get the VA Claim for foot/ankle. Unless his health record or a witness collaborates I expect the TBI/Purple Heart claim is bullshit.

I did request medical records as well, but only received the DD214 and a one page 1070/NAVMC 118(3).

DD214 block 12f shows 6 months/0 days foreign service, which agrees with an entry in the awards bloc. “Certificate of appreciation Member participated in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from 20040409-20041009”

Agreed that the “foot injury” probably wouldn’t rate a Purple Heart but understand it would still rate service connected status with the VA. However, I would have expected to see a PH for the IED injuries. Is it possible for him not to have been awarded one for that?

Operation Homefront is a 4-star charity that does many good things for the families of AD and for Vets and their families. The mortgage-free home is something for which any Vet can apply. No Purple Heart is required. If a Vet is selected, he and those who live in the home must be felony free and cannot presently own a home. Selectees live in the home for one or two years as tenants to prove they can handle the financial burden that goes with being a property owner. If they do, they get the home BUT a lien remains attached to ensure the home isn’t sold. The homes, by the way, aren’t new but have been renovated, and there aren’t very many of them, especially relative to need. I can’t find anything that puts Dahan as a selectee.

I personally know Dahan and have only recently been made aware of the Tribune article and all the rebuttals. I also personally want to know if all of the allegations about his lying are true because he’s also involved with other activities for injured veterans around here and if the allegations are true, then I agree that these groups need to be told.

Get On Board

Enter your email address below to receive updates each time we publish new content.

Privacy guaranteed. We never share your info.

About thisainthell

We are all military combat veterans and we write primarily from that perspective. Everyone who writes here has a Combat Infantry Badge, a Combat Medic Badge, a Combat Action Badge or a Combat Action Ribbon. We write about issues that matter to combat veterans..read more »